March News Part 3

London North Eastern Railway 1950 Brake Corridor Third E1866 (GOLD)

The long running task to transform the six original brass sliding light frames along with two more acquired examples back to their 1950's glory has reached it's conclusion with further cleaning, polishing and lacquering this week. This has created a full set resplendent again and is a big step forward in reglazing the vehicle and working towards watertight shell status.

Others have been busy making a good start on internal woodwork associated with the two central passenger doors which have recently been adjusted to shut and lock correctly. Drop lights have been fitted and tested first paving the way for visible cladding woodwork to start.

Sliding vents at the top have been stripped and a start made on re-varnishing them. Vertical planked lower door cards have been selected from donor examples and are now ready to be prepared.

London North Eastern Railway 1938 Brake Third Open E16631E (GOLD)

No progress to report.

British Railways 1961 Brake First Open (Kitchen) M14021 (GOLD)

No progress to report.

British Railways 1958 Brake Corridor Second M35148 (SILVER)

The body repaint has taken a backseat for the week until the vehicle is returned into the staging area. However the lower half of the body has been lightly keyed up ready for varnish as it was easier to access from ground level.

The repainting work to the underframe and bogies has pressed on very well and is now complete with all areas fully glossed. Smaller items such as steam heat pipes and battery charging sockets have been picked out in their various colours.

Inside the vehicle, brackets for guards van emergency equipment have been made and fitted, completing the area other than the fire beaters which still needs to be ordered. A new ambulance cupboard sign has been fitted which has been created in the original style of the BR examples but is branded NNR and lists accurately the contents that our railway actually stocks.

The Holt end vestibule continues to be a focus with the new ceiling beading now fitted. A strap has been fashioned for the fire extinguisher and there now just a few more blanking plates (that cover redundant electric heating components) to finish painting and fit to the walls and then this area will have caught up with the rest of the interior.

The varnished window poles for the corridor have also now been fitted. Internal glass has been cleaned.

With a reentry into service so close we have also given the coach around 75% of its "C exam" to check everything and ensure it is ticketed to go back into traffic as soon as we have finished with it. The coach failed it's vacuum leakage test very badly so a day was spent changing various seals and replacing all of the flexible hoses which had all become porous. 

British Railways 1957 Class 101 Railcar Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory E56062 (SILVER)

The vehicle has reached the milestone of the paint preparation work having been completed - somewhat ahead of schedule! It is now all rubbed down and ready for paint when a slot becomes available.

Some minor details continue to be finished off such as refitting of gutters and door bump stops. The two cab doors continue to see minor adjustments and internal woodwork to finish them. Work to replace the internal glass window rubbers has now started and is set to be a long process. Two windows have been completed so far.

Inside, the cab refurbishment continues with the ceiling now filled, rubbed down and undercoated.

British Railways 1954 13 Ton Pipe Open B740918

No progress to report.

British Railways (GWR Design) 1958 "Fruit D" W92097W (SILVER)

No progress to report.

Maintenance

Exams continue with the dining set now one of the focusses, including the latest battle against vacuum leakage. Of the four dining cars, one is excellent, one fails badly and the remaining two are in a middle "OK" category. The one which is the main culprit will be looked at first.